Raise the Wage (HB 290) – Recognizing that the federal minimum wage falls short of what families need to make ends meet, other states and cities across the country have raised their minimum wages above the federal level of $7.25 an hour. In addition to raising the state minimum wage, CPPP recommends repealing the state law that prohibits localities from setting wage standards.

End Pay Discrimination (HB 287, HB 393) – Nearly 2/3 of Texas families with children rely entirely or substantially on women’s incomes. When women are paid less for the same job, family financial security is significantly weakened. We also see disparities in income by race and ethnicity that persist across all levels of educational attainment.

Fight Wage Theft (HB 48, HB 83, HB 106, and HB 399) – In Texas, non-payment of wages or “wage theft” is a problem that has consequences for all Texas workers and the broader public. Although workplace abuses affect all Texas workers and occur in all types of occupations, immigrants in lower-wage and blue-collar occupations are often disproportionately affected by these violations.

Do jobs in your community pay enough? Check out CPPP’s Texas Family Budgets Calculator to see what it really takes to get by and ahead in the largest 27 metro areas in Texas!

Jonathan Lewis joined the Center 2018 where he focuses on creating economic opportunity for Texas families through policies that promote financial security and create good jobs. Previously, Jonathan worked as a policy analyst at the Texas Legislative Budget Board where he worked on the Texas Government Efficiency and Effectiveness Report and Health and Human Services forecasting. Jonathan’s prior work experience also includes working with the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget where he worked on consumer protection which included implementation of the city’s paid sick leave law. Jonathan earned his Master of Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from Baylor University.